Unlocking Hydrocarbon Potential in Complex Carbonate Reservoirs Offshore Malaysia: a CSEM Integration Study

The exploration of hydrocarbons in carbonate reservoirs offshore Sarawak, particularly in the Central Luconian region, presents formidable challenges due to the intricate nature of carbonate platforms. Seismic imaging faces obstacles from diverse depositional facies, reservoir heterogeneity, and diagenetic alterations within carbonates. To overcome these challenges, integrating seismic with Controlled-Source Electromagnetic (CSEM) results emerges as a promising approach, offering insights beyond conventional seismic methods.

In the carbonate reservoirs, resistivity reflects porosity, pore connectivity, and fluid content. In a carbonate rock, CSEM can distinguish between a brine-filled rock from hydrocarbon-filled rock based on the resistivity variations. Integration of CSEM results with seismic and well logs facilitates interpretation, aiding in the identification of hydrocarbon-bearing carbonate bodies. This interdisciplinary approach enhances understanding and reduces exploration risks in challenging carbonate reservoirs.

Using regional 2D CSEM lines and public well data alongside seismic images, we demonstrate how CSEM can serve as a derisking tool for hydrocarbon exploration in these carbonates.